[360°] Green Five needle pine at the NBPCA

[NBPCA]

Hi all,

After much consideration by a number of people who have seen the tree in the flesh, everyone seems to agree that side 3 is the most likely front.

We also mostly agree that we should/shall keep the lower branches for the time being at least. As I say "leave them for 10 or 20 years and if you still don't like them then cut them off".

Wiring is proceeding today and positioning will be either today or next week. Still lots of work to do. More photos soon.

Grant (and team Leigh, Jim, Ian, Lorraine, Jocelyn..........)

Side 3 flat and partially wired.JPG

Side 3 tilted and partially wired.JPG

Side 3 tilted, old apex covered and tree partially wired.JPG

Heavy branch on right hand side about 2/3rds up the trunk is the only problematic branch

[Bretts]

Hi Grant
My guess is that it is the first right branch that will be removed in the future?
If so, I would think that it should be removed now. The branch to the left of it would surely be enough to fatten this section and if the right branch was left on for another 10-20 years I would think the scar would be too great after removing it.
I am sure you will show me wrong But that is my unadulterated thoughts

[craigw60]

I am glad you have found a front and are not removing those low branches. Its always such a bonus to find an older pine with good low branching. The strong straight branch on the right really jars, it should go pronto.
Craig

[NBPCA]

Hi Grant
My guess is that it is the first right branch that will be removed in the future?
If so, I would think that it should be removed now. The branch to the left of it would surely be enough to fatten this section and if the right branch was left on for another 10-20 years I would think the scar would be too great after removing it.
I am sure you will show me wrong But that is my unadulterated thoughts

Hi Brett,

Your thoughts and ideas are welcome and incisive.

When I was refering to "leaving them for 10 or 20 years" I was refering to the heavy low branches.

The heavy right hand branch up the trunk can stay for the moment but probably wont be there in 20 years time. It is bendable(just) , doesn't have much foliage soit wont fatten the trunk high up, and the straightness can be hidden by some foliage placement. I am trying to leave as much foliage as possible so the overall tree will power away in springtime. The soil is very fine and is staying wet for a long time so I wont take off the foliage for this reason as well.

A major scar on Five needle pines will be seen for a long time so we will have to monitor and make decisions as needed.

Grant

PS> Hope you are all enjoying this process; we certainly are enjoying working on material of this age.

[NBPCA]

I am glad you have found a front and are not removing those low branches. Its always such a bonus to find an older pine with good low branching. The strong straight branch on the right really jars, it should go pronto.
Craig

Hi Craig and thanks.

I will try and hide the branch before deciding to cut it off. Once gone it is too late.

Grant

[NBPCA]

Off comes the apex..JPG

Heavy low branch cut off.JPG

Old apex.JPG

Leigh and Ian hard at work wiring.JPG

OK,

Thats all for today.

[Leigh Taafe]

It is interesting to note how well the wire used to "strangle" the cut off branch and apex work.

We didnt put the strangle wire on the low branch that we cut off straight away, and you can see the sap had drawn from the cut. As soon as we put the wire on - it stopped. Compare this to the pic of the apex - where the strangle wire was put on straight away - there was little - if any at all, sap drawing from the cut.

[Jamie]

gday maverick (leigh )

did you put these strangle wires on a few days before you cut or right before you cut the tree? this is an interesting technique i havent seen but will definately remember it. it would be very useful for the species that bleed heavily.


jamie

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi Jamie - I cut the branches first - then put it on after. The low branch got put on the day after the cut. I saw how much the sap was drawing - so decided to put it on to stop the flow, it worked. The apex was removed and the wire put on straight away - there was no sap loss at all.

[Jamie]

excellent leigh

where did you learn this? i take it with the wire on it will die back to that point of wire and thats it? or does it die back more than that?

im also looking forward to some shots to virt this puppy with mate

jamie

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi Jamie,

The tree diverts its sap flow to the areas with foliage. After a long enough time, the branch dies back to where the sap flow has been diverted, hopefully not back into the trunk (which could happen if you let it bleed, or even cut the whole branch off altogether).

I learnt this technique from a guy who used to work with my dad many years ago.

[Grant Bowie]

Mick Balzary has been using it for a long time successfully as well and that is where I heard of it..

It certainly is a useful technique.

Grant

[Leigh Taafe]

Mick Balzary has been using it for a long time successfully as well and that is where I heard of it..

I learnt this technique from a guy who used to work with my dad many years ago.

Same guy!

I was being cryptic so as to not mention any names in fear of incriminating anyone.

[Jamie]

cheers guys, this is definately one that i will be keeping in the back of my mind!!! very useful indeed!

[Asus101]

Mick Balzary has been using it for a long time successfully as well and that is where I heard of it..

I learnt this technique from a guy who used to work with my dad many years ago.

Same guy!

I was being cryptic so as to not mention any names in fear of incriminating anyone.

He told us about the technique when he came to adelaide.